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A N 

OLD TIME TRAGEDY 


BY 

MARY BUTT 


THE 

Bbbcy press 

PUBLISHERS 

114 

FIFTH AVENUE 

XonOon NEW YORK /iRontieal 



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THE LIBRARY 0F 
CONGRESS, 

Two OoHiBB ii'iCErve# 

MAR. 24 1902 

CCWYRJ«HT ENTRY , 

‘T' '5- 

CLAS« <X. XXo. No. 

3> ^ 

COPY a. ' 


Copyright, 1901, 
by 
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CONTENTS. 


PAGE 

An Old Time Tragedy 5 

The Lovers Meet in the Glen 14 

A Bitter Repulse 21 

Haunted 30 

Still Pursued 35 

Sad Days at the Miller’s Cottage 37 

Death 43 

Odds are Even 46 




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* '>-.#^' i. •-.* '.ii 



AN OLD TIME TRAGEDY. 


Many years ago there lived in the village 
of Crawley, a charming place situated a few 
miles from London, a miller and his daugh- 
ter Olive, a most beautiful girl of fifteen, 
possessed of big blue eyes and a wealth of 
wavy dead gold hair that hung in ringlets 
over her shoulders. She was tall for her age 
and had a perfect sylph-like form, and small 
shapely hands and feet. The miller’s pic- 
turesque cottage stood on the roadside about 
a quarter of a mile from the mill. His 
mother kept house for him ; his wife having 
died when Olive was but four years old. 
We will take a peep inside the cottage, it is 
scrupulously clean. The July sun is shin- 
ing in through the windows, making mirrors 
of the bright copper pots and pans that hang 
about the walls of the quaint old kitchen. 

5 


6 


An Old Time Tragedy. 

A spotless white cloth is on the table, the tea- 
things are set, and the bright copper kettle 
is hissing and spitting on the hot hob, wait- 
ing for the tea to be brewed. And there by 
the window sits a sweet face old lady, 
wearing a neat gown and cap of the quaker 
order. Her fingers are busy, plying the 
knitting needles. I wish Olive would 
come ! ” she murmured as she glanced 
at the clock that hung on the wall. The 
hands pointed to the hour of four ; and at 
the same moment a sweet girlish voice was 
heard in the distance. Olive had been out 
for a ramble with her pet in the shape of a 
large black collie named Moka. And the 
said master Moka had evidently been up to 
mischief, for Olive was scolding him as 
severely as her sweet nature would permit. 

I am going to chain you up for punish- 
ment,’’ she cried. And suiting the action to 
the word, she took him by the collar and 
led him across the yard to the outhouse 
and fastened him to his kennel. 

There, sir ! I hope that will teach you 


An Old Time Tragedy. 7 

better manners,” she said as she turned her 
steps towards the cottage. 

Come, child ! Thou hast stayed long, 
and thy father also, is behind time this 
evening,” said her grandmother as she, 
Olive, entered the kitchen. 

I am very sorry, grandmother, I really 
did not think it was so late,” she answered 
penitently, but withal, a happy look on 
her beautiful oval face. 

Tut ! child, thou need not be sorry. I 
see the walk has done thee good,” she 
added as she noticed the delicate pink and 
white of the young girFs complexion. But 
what has Moka done, that thou hast chained 
him up ? ” she continued. 

Oh ! he has behaved very badly indeed,” 
she replied. went to the village and 
came back by White Lady’s path.” 

White Lady’s path, was situated in a glen 
on the estate belonging to Lord Anbury 
Finsbury ; and according to tradition the 
path had been so named by the present Lord 
Finsbury’s great-grandfather to whom the 


8 An Old Time Tragedy. 

White Lady appeared. She has been seen 
several times since, but always to a Finsbury. 
I shall have occasion to speak of her later on. 

We will now return to Olive. She told 
her grandmother she had returned from the 
village by White Lady’s path, ^^and there I 
met Lord Finsbury,” she said, ^‘and as soon as 
Moka saw him he growled, and of course I 
scolded him, but I did not think that he 
meant real mischief until Lord Finsbury came 
close up to me, and took hold of one of my 
curls and said : ^ What magnificent hair you 
have, Olive.’ And before we could say 
Jack Robinson, Moka sprang at his throat 
and would have bitten him if I had not 
caught him by the collar just in time.” 

God bless thee, child !” said the old lady, 
taking ofP her spectacles and wiping them, 
though I am sure they did not need it. 

There is danger ahead for thee ; Moka is 
an old dog and faithful, but it seems that he 
does not like Lord Finsbury ; if the brute 
could but speak he might warn thee. But 
forsooth I must warn thee : Thou must keep 


9 


An Old Time Tragedy. 

out of White Lady’s path in future ; I also 
forbid thee to speak with Lord Finsbury 
any more.” 

^^Oh ! grandmother ! please don’t forbid 
me to speak to Lord Finsbury, he has been 
so kind to me, and it gives me pleasure to 
talk to him ; and — and he tells me he is 
going away for three months ; will you for- 
bid me to speak to him when he comes 
back?” 

Thus, Olive pleaded with clasped hands 
and a beseeching look on her lovely face. 
Her grandmother seemed in no hurry to 
reply ; but at length she heaved a heavy 
sigh and exclaimed : I tell thee the dog 
has warned thee against Lord Finsbury.” 
And then she got up and brewed the tea, 
and finished putting the eatables on the 
table for tea. 

And by that time John Davis, the good 
miller, walked in the kitchen. His comely 
presence and cheery voice seemed to change 
the whole atmosphere for the time being. 

W ell ! what has my little girl been 


10 


An Old Time Tragedy, 

doing to-day/’ he said as he fondly patted 
Olive on the cheek. Olive was his darling, 
the apple of his eye, in fact he seemed to 
live as it were for her sake. He had loved 
his wife dearly, and she had borne him 
four children, but sad to relate, she and 
three of the children had long since departed 
this life. Only little Olive, the youngest, had 
been spared to him. So in answer to his 
question as to what she had been doing all 
day, she related to hini her meeting with 
Lord Finsbury in Wliite Lady’s path, also 
Moka’s misbehavior, as she termed it ; and 
when she had finished her story there was a 
serious expression on her father’s face as he 
calmly said : 

W ell, my child ! I am inclined to be of 
the same mind as thy grandmother, I think 
it will be wise of thee to keep Lord Fins- 
bury at a distance. Therefore I hope thou 
wilt heed thy grandmother’s words ; for she 
knows what is best for thee to do.” 

Olive hung her golden head and made no 
answer, and the good miller and his mother 


An Old Time Tragedy. ii 

took silence for consent. Neither of them 
thought for a moment that Olive would wil- 
fully do anything contrary to their wishes. 

Olive had not told them that her faithful 
Moka had to be tied to a tree, while Lord 
Finsbury cut off one of her golden curls. 
Neither did she tell them that she was going 
to meet his lordship to-night, to bid him 
farewell for three months. 

Lord Finsbury was all the world to this 
young girl, he had told her that he loved 
her ; and she knew that she loved him in 
return. But what was the use of telling her 
father and grandmother, she knew in her 
heart that they would not approve of her 
being in love with Lord Finsbury, they had 
even forbid her to speak to him. So con- 
sidering herself a very ill-used young person 
she resolved to let the matter drop for the 
present. And when at length the evening 
meal was finished in silence, by all three con- 
cerned, Olive got up as usual and cleared 
the table, washed and put away the china 
and put everything neat about the kitchen. 


12 


An Old Time Tragedy. 

Her father lit his pipe, took the newspaper 
and wandered out to the old-fashioned porch 
where he usually sat during the summer 
evenings till bedtime. And her grand- 
mother, after attending to various household 
duties, took up her knitting and joined the 
miller in the porch. 

The evening air was glorious, and the 
odor of roses and the lily of the valley 
came along on the summer breeze. But at 
length all the birds settled twittering into 
their nests, and the twilight ceased to be, 
and the clear pale moon rose slowly up into 
the heavens. 

“ What a lovely evening for a tryst ! ” 
thought Olive as she quietly stepped out of 
the cottage by the back door and walked in 
the direction of White Lady’s path. 

Poor Moka tried to break loose from his 
chain when he heard her footsteps going 
down the road, but finding that he could not 
do so, he lay down without a murmur, even 
though his poor old heart was breaking ; for 
he knew that he had offended his beloved 


13 


An Old Time Tragedy. 

mistress, and she had not been near him 
since, to make it up with him in the shape 
of a couple of lumps of sugar of which he 
was very fond. 


THE LOVERS MEET IN THE GLEN. 

Olive very soon reached White Lady’s 
path. The clear moon beams fell through 
the trees and gave a touch of romance to the 
scene. 

In the distance a tall figure could be seen 
gliding along. A figure that Olive knew 
and loved not wisely, but far too well. It 
was Lord Aubury Finsbury ; the next min- 
ute Olive was clasped in his arms. 

So my little sweetheart did not forget 
to come,” he said in low whispered tones. 

You did not tell your people where you 
were coming, did you, little one ? ” he in- 
quired in tender tones. 

No ! Aubury, I did not 1 in fact I dare 
not. Because they have forbidden me to 
speak to you any more ; isn’t it dreadful ? 
and I love you so, that I could not help dis- 
14 


The Lovers Meet in The Glen. 15 

obeying them, even though I love them 
both very much,’’ said Olive in her sweet 
child-like voice. 

^‘Well! never mind, darling, I shall 
always love you ! and when I come back 
from this cruising expedition, which will be 
in about three months’ time, I shall marry 
you. And when you are Countess Fins- 
bury you will be able to laugh at your 
old granny, and your father; won’t you, 
Olive?” 

Olive made no reply as to whether she 
would laugh at her good people or not. Her 
golden head was resting against Lord Fins- 
bury’s shoulder, and she felt supremely 
happy. She liked the idea of being Coun- 
tess Finsbury. She had visions of being 
mistress of one of the finest castles in Eng- 
land, with dozens of servants to wait on her; 
ah ! surely, when she would be Countess 
Finsbury her father and grandmother would 
see that she had done right, by giving her 
heart’s best love to Lord Finsbury. 

The moon had risen very much higher in 


i6 An Old Time Tragedy. 

the heavens since Olive had entered White 
Lady’s path, but the young girl had no 
thought as to time, or night. She loved 
this man so much that she completely for- 
got herself^ but at length her lover bade her 
go. Good-by, my little Olive,” he said. 
“ In three months’ time I shall be back to 
claim you as my bride. Kiss me once more 
and go,” he continued. 

“ Oh, Aubury ! I wish you were not going 
on this cruising expedition ; I feel so miser- 
able when I think of you going away for 
such a long time.” 

I am sorry I cannot take you with me, 
dear, but the time will soon slip away, and 
now, sweetheart, good-by,” he said again 
tenderly, as he led her along to the end of 
the path. Thus the lovers parted to meet 
under very different circumstances four 
months later. 

When his lordship had watched Olive as 
far as he could see her, he turned the op- 
posite direction toward the castle. He was a 
tall handsome blond of slight but strong 


The Lovers Meet in The Glen. 17 

build, and was about thirty years of age. 
Being rich, and good-natured, he was very 
popular with all classes of people. 

From the miller’s cottage the castle could 
be seen high up on the hill, and Olive had a 
splendid view of it from her own dainty bed- 
room window and many, many weary hours 
did she spend gazing out at the castle, long- 
ing for the time when its lord and master 
would return and claim her for his bride. 
And at last the three long months had 
elapsed, but Olive had received no word or 
sign from her beloved Aubury, and her 
heart was beginning to feel very heavy, and 
hopeless. The roses faded from her cheeks 
and she was no longer the bright winsome 
girl that she used to be. 

‘‘ Thou hast not been looking well this 
last few days, child ! ” said her grand- 
mother three weeks later. “ And I think 
a little change of air will do thee good. 
James is going to Greenwood to-day with 
flour, and I propose that thou goest with 


i8 An Old Time Tragedy. 

him and he can put thee down at thy Aunt 
Hannah’s, and I will send a few jars of my 
best preserves to her, and thou canst stay 
over Sunday. I know she will be very glad 
to have thee.” 

V ery well, grandmother, I will go and 
see Aunt Hannah if you wish,” she replied 
indifferently. 

What ails thee, child? A few months 
ago thou wouldest jump for joy at the pros- 
pect of going to see thy Aunt Hannah. 
Now thou seemest not to care one way or 
the other. Thou art indeed sorely changed. 

Ah, yes ! a few months ago it was 
July, it is now November, granny, and very 
chilly for a fourteen-miles ride in an open 
cart.” 

Tut, child ! thou never used to think 
whether it was June or January, thou wert 
always fond of being out door till lately.” 

Don’t be angry with me. Granny, I 
\ will go over to Aunt Hannah’s for you with 
pleasure,” she answered meekly. 

But, child, ’tis not for me I want thee 


The Lovers Meet in The Glen. 19 

to go, ’tis for thyself ; because I think a 
little change will do thee good ! ” 

V ery well, granny ! What time will 
James be ready to start? ” she asked as she 
threw her arms about her grandmother’s 
neck and kissed her over and over again, 
and clung to her, as if she knew it would 
be for the last time. 

He starts about twelve, Lamie, it is now 
nine, so thou wilt have plenty of time to 
pack up what few things thou wilt need 
for a few days. And I will go and make 
ready the preserves.” 

Thus the two parted, the elder to the 
storeroom, the younger to her bedroom, and 
promptly at twelve o’clock Olive stood at 
the cottage door, warmly clad, waiting for 
James, and a few minutes later she was in 
the cart rattling away down the road, and 
the poor old granny stood at the door, with 
sad tear-bedimmed eyes watching the cart 
bear away her dearest treasure on earth. 

Alas, alas ! ” she moaned. There is 
something wrong with my poor lamb, she is 


20 


An Old Time Tragedy. 

so wan and pale, and yet she is more beau- 
tiful than ever. She looks like her mother 
did just before she died. Oh ! it cannot be, 
it cannot be that my darling is going to 
die ! she wailed as she wrung her hands 
in despair and turned into the cottage and 
closed the door. 


A BITTER REPULSE. 

It was about the end of November and 
John Davis stood outside the mill door look- 
ing up at the dull leaden sky, wondering 
whether it was going to snow, hail or rain. 
And just then Jackson, the village carpenter, 
came along. 

Hallo, Jackson !” cried the miller. ‘^Art 
thou busy ? There’s one or two jobs in the 
mill I’d like thee to do to-day if thou 
could’st.” 

^‘Very sorry,” replied Jackson as he halted 
in the middle of the road with his large 
frail slung across his shoulders. I can’t 
stop to attend to it now ! I got word yes- 
terday from Lord Finsbury to be at the 
castle to-day without fail.” 

Oh, indeed ! Then his lordship has 
returned from abroad,” said the miller. 

Aye ! and more than that ; he has 

21 


22 


An Old Time Tragedy. 

brought a wife back with him ; so Peter his 
valet tells me.’’ 

Married ! and when are they coming to 
the castle ? ” said the miller all in one 
breath. 

His lordship will be down in a day or 
two ; but the countess will remain in Lon- 
don until the castle has been renovated ; 
Peter says she is a rare beauty. He says 
it was a case of love at first sight. They 
met at a ball, in Norway. And Peter says 
she is a Russian of noble birth ; I think he 
said she was a Miss Ursula Ostersky, or some 
such a name.” 

Jackson having thus delivered himself of 
this very important bit of information, 
waved his hand good morning to the miller 
and hurried on to the castle. 

So the young harem-scarem is married,” 
ejaculated the miller indifferently as he 
turned into the mill, and repeated the news 
to his men. 

Two evenings later, Olive was returning 
home, in the carrier cart; she had been 


A Bitter Repulse. 23 

away four days and her grandmother and 
father were looking forward to her coming 
home as anxiously as if she had been away 
four years. 

I will get down here, and walk through 
the glen,” said Olive to the carrier as he 
turned a bend in the road in the direction 
of Lord Finsbury’s estate. 

“ ’Tis past five o’clock. Miss, and you’ll 
find it rather dark to walk in the glen,” 
interposed the driver. 

‘‘ Oh 1 I know every inch of the ground ; 
besides, there’s the moon rising yonder ; 
never fear, I shall get along all right,” said 
Olive, with a light laugh. 

And before the driver could say another 
word, she had jumped from the cart and dis- 
appeared within the glen. 

The fact of the matter was this : Olive had 
noticed that certaiil windows at the castle 
were lighted up ; which told her Lord Fins- 
bury must be there. So she thought she 
would walk through the glen. Perhaps by 
chance she might meet her beloved Aubury 


24 An Old Time Tragedy. 

there. And when she came within twenty 
feet of the rustic seat, their accustomed tryst- 
ing place in the old days, she discerned a 
figure sitting there. 

Could it be Aubury ? ” she wondered. 

If it was, he did not appear to hear her 
approaching footsteps ; so she stood still 
for a moment, scarce knowing how to act. 
The next moment Lord Finsbury (for it was 
he) turned his head in her direction. 

Who’s that? ” he asked. 

It is I ! ” cried Olive as she recognized 
his voice. Oh ! how glad I am to see you,” 
she said as she reached the seat and sat 
down beside him. He made no advance to 
meet her. 

How do you do ? ” he said cooly. “ And 
what are you doing here at this hour ? ” 
he asked, in cold hard tones. 

I — I came to look for you, Aubury ! 
oh ! I have been watching and waiting for 
you so long,” she said sadly, for she noticed 
the coolness of bis m^nner^ he had not ev^u 
kissed her* 


A Bitter Repulse. 25 

Nonsense ! he said after a pause. I 
am sure you did not come here to meet me. 
I saw a fellow, whom I suppose is one of 
your lovers, go down the beach walk a few 
minutes ago. I suppose you have had no 
end of lovers since I have been away, but of 
course I don’t blame you.” 

I don’t understand how you can speak 
to me thus,” said Olive, mournfully. 

Oh, you don’t ? ” he replied, in tones 
that struck like a chill through the young 
girl’s heart. 

0, Anbury ! ” she cried, clinging to his 
arm. ‘‘ Have you ceased to care for me ? ” 

Don’t be such a little fool ! ” he answered, 
as he disengaged her smajl white hands 
from about his shoulders. What do you 
think my wife would say if she saw you act- 
ing in this manner ? ” he continued. 

Your wife ? ” gasped Olive. Why, you 
have always told me that I was your future 
wife. Oh, what shall I do ? I have always 
loved you better than any one else on earth,” 
she sobbed hysterically. 


/ 


26 An Old Time Tragedy. 

It was all a mistake, Olive, and it can’t 
be helped now, and listen to me, Olive ! in a 
few days’ time I shall be bringing my bride 
to the castle ; and remember, from this time 
forth you and I must meet no more as lovers. 
Here,” he continued, take this from me ! 
you may find it useful some day. And, 
Olive, take my advice and try to forget that 
you ever knew Anbury Finsbury.” 

He had thrusted a roll of paper into her 
hand, and her instinct told her it was bank 
notes. 

She quickly sprung to her feet. 

You have deceived me, and broken my 
heart ! ” she cried wildly, as she flung the 
bank notes' full into his face. I do not 
want your money, I do not want your money, 
she repeated bitterly, and then with a wild 
hysterical scream she ran with the fleet- 
ness of a wild deer in the direction of her 
home, and Lord Finsbury did not pursue 
her. 

Suddenly a black cloud passed over the 
risen moon and left the glen in total dark- 


A Bitter Repulse. 27 

ness for the time being, and as Lord Fins- 
bury looked out into the blackness of the 
night, he saw before him the figure of a tall 
woman heavily draped in white ; and in her 
hand she bore an unsheathed sword which 
glistened in the darkness. 

‘‘ Who are you ? ” inquired Lord Fins- 
bury hoarsely. 

Ah ! my lord ! ” said the woman, in 
deep silvery tones. Thou didst not think 
that thou wouldst have to deal with me, 
didst thou? But time will tell thee that it 
is so.” 

“ Once again, I say, who are thou?’’ re- 
peated Lord Finsbury, every nerve in his 
body unstrung. 

I am Salvais 1 better known as the White 
Lady who made a solemn vow one hundred 
years ago to avenge all young girls betrayed 
by a Finsbury. Alas ! I cannot save them, 
but I have the power to avenge them. 
Therefore, I have come to tell thee that for 
what thou hast done, thou wilt receive thy 
reward. But the young girl will be happy. 


28 An Old Time Tragedy. 

She will know sorrow no more from this 
night. The remainder of her days will be 
as a happy dream. But thou wilt suffer. 
And when thy cup of sorrow is full to the 
brim, so full that thou wilt be on the brink 
of madness, and think that it would be best 
for thee to die, thou canst call me, Sal- 
vais ! the avenger of the young girl whose 
heart thou hast just bruised, and I will come 
and with the point of my sword I will pierce 
thy heart.” 

The black cloud had passed over the 
moon, and silvery shafts of light fell through 
the trees once more ; and Lord Finsbury 
looked round for Salvais. But she had 
disappeared as silently as she came. 

Ugh ! ” he muttered, as a shiver ran 
through his frame. 1 must have fell 
asleep and been dreaming. But what an 
odious dream ! ” Thus ejaculating he hur- 
ried out of the glen. And when he arrived 
at the castle gates he saw Salvais standing 
before him, and knew then that what had 
occurred in the glen was no dream. 


A Bitter Repulse. 29 

Salvais stood pointing her sword full at 
his heart. 

“ Not now, Salvais ! My God ! I have 
not called thee yet ! ” he cried as he shaded 
his eyes with his hand. 

The light which shown around the White 
Lady was so dazzling and bright that he 
could not see with his bare eyes ; and as he 
spoke he turned his back on her and fled 
in another direction which led to a side door 
into the castle, but before he had time to 
close the door behind him, he heard the 
sharp-ringing laugh of a woman as if in 
triumph. 


HAUNTED. 


God help me !” cried his lordship when 
at length he had reached his bedroom and 
thrown himself down on a coach; and 
after he had rested himself for a few 
minutes he rang his bell. 

Peter ! tell Mr. Hyde I wish to speak to 
him/’ he said, as the valet knocked and en- 
tered the room. 

Yes ! my lord/’ said Peter, and with 
a bow withdrew. 

Mr. Hyde was his lordship’s house steward 
and friend. He had been steward at the 
castle years before his lordship saw the day- 
light. He was one of the real old-fashioned 
servant type that is not to be met with now- 
a-days. 

When Lord Finsbury rung his bell, old 
Hyde (for he was quite ancient) was 
30 


Haunted. 


31 

sitting in his comfortable armchair by the 
fireside. 

’Twill be like old times again now that we 
are going to have a ladyship to reign over 
us once more,” he was saying to John the 
head coachmam. Somehow the castle ain’t 
looked like the same since the old countess 
died,” he continued. 

“ W ell ! ” replied J ohn, it’s like enough 
we’ll have a power more work to do.” 

‘^Yes! that may be, but — but — ” And 
here Hyde paused and did not appear to be 
going on any further with the conversation. 

What were you going to say ? ” in- 
quired John. 

W ell, I was going to say as how I have 
always had a wish to see my young lord 
married.” 

At this juncture, Peter appeared on the 
scene. 

If you please, Mr. Hyde, will you go to 
his lordship’s apartment, he wants to speak 
to you,” he said respectfully. 

Ah ! more orders about getting the cas- 


32 An Old Time Tragedy. 

tie decked in her best bibs and tuckers, I’ll 
warrant,” said the old man as he rose from 
his chair and shuffled off as fast as he could 
to his lordship’s room. 

Come in ! ” said Anbury in response to 
a gentle tap at the door. Good evening, 
Hyde, come and sit down, I want to talk to 
you. I suppose you are wondering why I 
have sent for you at this hour.” 

Why, bless you, no. Master Anbury. 
Nothing would surprise me at this important 
time ; it does my heart good to think of the 
stir and bustle we shall have when her lady- 
ship arrives,” said Hyde as he seated him- 
self in a chair close to his lordship. 

But, Hyde, I have changed my mind, 
and have decided not to occupy the castle 
this winter.” 

“ W eli ! surely thou art a changeable lad !” 
said Hyde, scratching his head fiercely. 
^^’Tis not many hours since thou told me 
to get the castle spick and span as soon as 
possible.” 

Yes, yes ! I know, but I assure you I 


Haunted. 33 

have good reasons for changing my mind 
this time.’’ 

I can’t get over it ! ” said Hyde, still 
scratching his head. 

Well, my dear Hyde, I know you have 
always been my friend.” 

Aye ! Master Anbury, and always will be 
as long as thee and I do live,” responded the 
old man, feelingly. 

Thank you ! ” said Anbury, as he grasped 
his hand. ‘‘ I know I can trust you, so I 
will tell you a secret. But I will lock the 
door first.” 

Thus saying. Anbury walked over to the 
door and turned the key in the lock. And 
half an hour later it was a sorry looking old 
man that walked into the servants’ hall. 

Why, Mr. Hyde ! What is the matter? 
Hast thou seen a ghost ? ” inquired the 
butler. 

Ghost ! indeed ! ” snapped Hyde indig- 
nantly. No ! 1 have not seen a ghost. 
But I am bitterly disappointed. His lord- 
ship has changed his mind, and will not stay 

3 


34 An Old Time Tragedy. 

here this winter.^ He tells me that probably 
he and the countess will take a trip round 
the world before they settle down here at 
the castle. And, Peter, thy master bid me 
send thee to him at once. Thou and he 
will leave Crawley to-morrow morning by 
the first coach,’’ said Hyde. And as he 
spoke, a murmur of consternation ran from 
one domestic to another. 

Has the countess declined to come here ? ” 
said one. Why has his lordship changed 
his mind?” inquired another. His lordship 
don’t know his own mind two minutes 
together,” said another. 

Peace ! peace ! ” cried Hyde sharply. 
It’s none of your business why my lord has 
changed his mind. Be content to know that 
all hands will be kept, and full wages paid 
until further orders from his lordship ; there- 
fore asked no more questions ! ” 

Thus saying, the old man took down his 
long pipe from the mantel and began smok- 
ing, and most of the domestics withdrew and 
left him to smoke his pipe in peace. 


STILL PURSUED. 


Ah ! Ursula, dear, there you are,’’ cried 
Lord Finsbury, as he entered his apart- 
ment, on his return to London. 

And Ursula, his wife, came forward to 
greet him. He stooped down and kissed 
her beautiful brow and then they walked 
hand in hand to a sofa and seated themselves. 

^^You are not well, Aubury ! ” said the 
young wife, as she noted the deadly pallor 
of his cheeks and brow, and the dark rings 
around his eyes. 

No, sweetheart, I am not feeling so 
very fine. I received a shock I did not 
bargain for, whilst at the castle; a shock 
that has rather unnerved me and upset my 
system in general,” he said, glancing to- 
ward the door nervously, as if he saw some- 
thing there that displeased him. 

My poor Aubury, what happened, you 

35 


36 An Old Time Tragedy. 

did not see a ghost; did you?’’ she cried 
anxiously as she affectionately held one of 
his big hands in both of her small ones. 

Why, Ursula ! you are a witch ; that’s 
exactly what I saw. I have seen the Fins- 
bury ghost, and her appearance to me bodes 
no good ; so I propose, darling, that we will 
not occupy the castle this winter.” 

Heaven forbid ! ” cried Ursula with a 
shudder. You say the ghost is a woman ; 
what is she like ? ” she added. 

^^Well, she looks like an angel ; she is 
most serenely beautiful and her voice is like 
music floating on the air. But her Avords 
are bitter ! bitter as gall, yes, bitter as 
wormwood,” he repeated. 

Oh ! so she spoke to you. What did 
she say, Aubury ? ” 

Oh, you shall hear that another time ; 
but not now, dearest,” he said as he wearily 
bowed his head in his hands and murmured. 
My God ! my God ! she is here. She has 
followed me hither, whither shall I go to 
escape her ? ” 


SAD DAYS AT THE MILLER’S 
COTTAGE 

We will now return to the miller’s cottage 
and take a peep within. The good grand- 
mother is walking up and down the floor in 
a state of great excitement. 

“ I am in mortal terror lest something 
wrong has happened to Olive/’ she cried. 

There’s no use in going half way to 
meet trouble, mother,” said the miller, as he 
got up and opened the door and looked out. 

And while he stood at the door, a dismal 
howl came forth from Moka who was chained 
to his kennel. 

For mercy’s sake, go and let that poor 
beast loose,” called his mother from within. 

^^Aye, aye, mother,” he murmured, as 
he caught up the lantern from the doorstep 
and walked across the yard to the out- 
house. In one corner was Moka’s kennel, 

37 


38 An Old Time Tragedy. 

and as the miller glanced in that direction a 
cry of horror fell from his lips, for the 
senseless form of Olive was lying beside the 
kennel, and the poor dog whined with de- 
light at sight of his beloved master. My 
God ! what can have hapi^ened ? ’’ he cried, 
as he quickly let the dog loose and then 
gathered Olive up in his arms and hurried 
into the cottage. 

‘‘What is the trouble?’’ inquired the 
miller of the doctor two hours later. 

“ She appears to be suffering from a 
severe shock,” replied the doctor, thought- 
fully. “ I can do nothing more to-night, I 
will come early to-morrow morning,” he 
added. 

“ My God ! and is she to stay like that un- 
til to-morrow ? ” cried the miller in tones of 
the deepest despair, as he glared widely on 
the dead white face of his child. She had 
opened her great blue eyes several times since 
her father carried her in from the outhouse, 
but there was no recognition in their sad 
depth, they stared into vacancy. 


Sad Days at the Miller’s Cottage. 39 

Noj I cannot do anything more to-night, 
said the doctor, hut some one had better sit 
up with her all night and moisten her lips 
occasionally with weak brandy and water.” 

Oh, my darling ! my little Olive ! ” 
moaned the grandmother as she tenderly 
chafed the girl’s small white hands. Thus 
the father and grandmother sat through the 
long hours of the night, watching and wait- 
ing for Olive to open her eyes and speak to 
them ; but the night passed and the day- 
light shone forth in all her glory and splen- 
dor without bringing any change in Olive. 
But at length the doctor came and roused 
her so that she opened her beautiful eyes 
once more and looked into vacancy. 

I am afraid her mind has gone ! ” said 
the doctor in a whisper to the grandmother. 

God bless me! can it be possible that 
such a thing could happen to my bright 
little Olive ? ” she said excitedly. 

What can we do for her ? ” said the 
miller, and his big frame shook with a sob 
that escaped him, as he stood by the bed- 


40 An Old Time Tragedy. 

side with a cold, stern look on his face, and 
arms tightly folded. 

You can both do a great deal for the 
poor girl,” said the doctor, seriously. ^‘She 
will need all the care and kindness you can 
possibly give her, until her mind, which has 
become a blank, clears again.” 

Ah, thank God ! then you think it is 
only temporary you think she will get better 
again?” said the miller, hopefully. 

“ 0 yes ! I think there will be a change 
for the better after her — ahem — ” And 
here the doctor hesitated. Well, I hate 
to tell you, but of course you will have to 
know,” he continued in a quiet tone. 

Oh ! don’t keep anything from us that 
we ought to know,” pleaded the grand- 
mother. 

‘‘ Well, what I was going to say is that 
perhaps after her child is born there may be 
a change for the better, but not before.” 

For a few seconds neither the miller nor 
his mother spoke. But at length the good 
grandmother clasped her hands together and 


Sad Days at the Miller’s Cottage. 41 

reverently said : God’s holy will be done.” 
But the miller remained with his head 
bowed in silence for some time, and at last 
he cried out in a loud unnatural voice : 

Oh ! Avhat have I done, that God should 
deal thus with me ? In my early marriage 
days my beloved wife snatched from me, 
and soon after, three, of my children ; and 
now this terrible, this damned of all things 
to happen to my darling, my best beloved 
of all. 0 Olive ! I wish that you had 
died in your infancy. Yes ! I wish I had 
let you die ; I have saved you so many 
times from fire and water, and this is my 
reward ; fate would have saved you this sor- 
row, had I not intervened.” 

Thus poor John Davis rambled on wildly, 
between his sobs ; sobs that shooks the strong 
man’s frame. 

Come, Davis ! Brace up, man, this is not 
the very worse thing in the world that could 
happen,” said the doctor soothingly. 

You are not a father, therefore you can 
never understand how heavy this sorrow 


42 An Old Time Tragedy. 

weighs upon me. But of course, I must 
brace up, and God help my mother to do 
the same,” he said quietly as he gazed into 
the dry, calm eyes of his mother who sat 
beside him, trying to soothe him, even though 
her own heart was breaking. 


DEATH. 


The days, weeks and months went slowly 
by at the miller’s cottage ; the good grand- 
mother bore her sorrow with Christian for- 
titude but the miller went about his daily 
duties with bowed head and stooping shoul- 
ders ; his little girl Olive no longer welcomed 
him with her sunny smile and gay chatter. 
She had become possessed of the idea that 
her one mission in life was to sit and play the 
piano from morning till night. The poor 
girl appeared to think that she was playing 
in public before an audience, as every now 
and again she would get up and bow before 
the bare walls of the room as if bowing to 
an audience that had encored her ; and then 
she would sit down at the piano again and 
sometimes play the wildest, sweetest airs, and 
sometimes something impossible to under- 
stand. Her father and grandmother were 

43 


44 


An Old Time Tragedy. 

as utter strangers to her ; she frequently 
talked to them and told them that she was 
quite alone in the world and that as far 
back as she could remember she had earned 
her livelihood as a pianist, etc. And this 
went on day after day, until at last the final 
break came. 

One bright morning in April all the 
shades were drawn down on the windows of 
the miller’s cottage, and there were weeping 
and wailing within ; for, alas ! the angel of 
death has stolen in their midst, and borne 
away the gentle spirit of Olive Davis to the 
far unknown. And the dear little blue- 
eyed boy who had arrived a few days 
before, lay cooing in his great-grand- 
mother’s arms. 

Oh ! what shall I do ? How can I live 
without my Olive ? ” moaned the old lady. 

Take comfort, mother,” said the miller 
reverently. You have her boy. Let him 
take her place in your heart. Believe me, 
Olive is better dead than alive ; she would 
never have been happy again in this life if 


Death. 


45 


she had lived. For my part I do not 
grudge her her rest. Therefore do not 
grieve for her any more, let her rest in 
peace.” 

^^Thou speakest wisely,” murmured the 
mother. God’s will be done ! ” she con- 
tinued, as she passionately kissed and folded 
the baby to her bosom. 


ODDS AKE EVEN. 


It is two years since Lord Finsbury so 
hurriedly left the castle. But at last they 
have got word that he is coming back once 
more. They have also heard that his lord- 
ship’s health has been failing for some time 
past. 

And truly, when his lordship arrived at 
the castle he was but a sorry remnant of his 
former self. Leaning one arm on the coun- 
tess, and the other on his faithful Hyde, he 
entered the castle never to leave it again 
alive. 

We will now take a peep into his lord- 
ship’s sleeping apartment ; he is lying on his 
bed sick unto death. His wife, the countess, 
is sitting by the bedside by way of keeping 
him company, and Hyde is busy clearing up 
some letters and papers that have been strewn 
about the floor. 

46 


Odds are Even. 


47 

Hyde ! ’’ said liis lordship, feebly. Is 
that girl still in Crawley ? ” 

What girl do you mean ? ” inquired the 
former. 

Oh, don’t you remember that story I 
told you about three years ago ? ” said his 
lordship peevishly. 

Oh, yes. Master Anbury, I remember 
now. But I was in hope that you had for- 
gotten that unhappy affair.” 

Oh no ! She — I mean Salvais would 
not let me forget it ; she has pursued me 
everywhere, right up to now. But tell me, 
is Olive Davis still at Crawley ? ” 

No ! Master Anbury, she — she — ” 

Thus Hyde hesitated. 

Well, go on, go on,” said his lordship, 
fretfully. 

^^Well, Master Anbury, Miss Davis has 
been dead almost this two years ; she died a 
few hours after her child was born.” 

Died a few hours after her child was 
born, did you say?” said his lordship 
hoarsely. 


48 An Old Time Tragedy. 

Yes, Master Aubiiry.” And here Hyde 
related all he knew about Olive, from the 
time she was found unconscious in the out- 
house up to the time she died. 

See, what month did you say the child 
was born ? ” gasped his lordship. 

In April ! ” replied Hyde. 

May God forgive me, I have a great 
deal to answer for, and you, my good Hyde, 
never betrayed me, what I mean they, her 
people, never knew that I was her lover ? ” 

No, Master Anbury, as far as I know, 
the whole thing has been, and remains to this 
day a mystery to the Crawley people.” 

Ursula ! do you hear this ? ” said An- 
bury feebly to the countess. 

Yes ! I have heard it all ! ” she an- 
swered in cold, slowly measured tones, which 
meant a great deal from her. She had loved 
and almost worshiped her husband from the 
first time she met him, right up to the 
moment she heard his secret revealed by 
Hyde. Yes ! I have heard it all,” she 
repeated after a slight pause. And if you 


Odds are Even. 


49 

were not so ill, I would give back my wed- 
ding ring, and leave you forever.” 

Yes ! my Ursula, if you were not an 
angel, perhaps you would leave me, but you 
are too good, too pure, too true a woman to 
leave me thus in my last hour. And re- 
member, Ursula, though I deceived that 
poor girl, I gave to you my heart’s best, and 
undying love, and for the sake of this love I 
must ask you to forgive me.” 

I can never forgive you ! ” she mur- 
mured as she sat bent over, with her face 
buried in her hands. 

Oh, Ursula, I have suffered so much, 
won’t you try to forgive me ? ” he pleaded. 

No ! I cannot ! ” she repeated slowly and 
in tones of intense agony. 

Ah ! then this must be the end. Surely 
my cup of sorrow is full to the brim now,” 
he said wearily, and with a deep-drawn sigh 
he threw himself back on the pillows and 
uttered in a clear but weak voice the name 
of Salvais.” 

Nay, one moment more,” he gasped, as 

4 


50 


An Old Time Tragedy.^ 

he raised himself up, and turning to his wife, 
he cried wildly: Oh, Ursula! will you 

refuse me one last kiss, one. last embrace?’’ 

He waited for a moment hut there came 
no response from his wife. So with the 
wild despair of a madman he flung the 
silken coverlet from him, and baring his 
breast, he cried in a loud voice : Salvais ! 
Salvais ! come quickly 1 ” and fell back 
dead. 

When the doctors came, tliey said his 
death was due to hemorrhage of the heart. 
But old Hyde always thought that it was 
by the hand of Salvais his young lord died. 


-itSt 


MAR S4 1902 



1 COPY on. TO CAT. OlV. 
MAR. 24 1902 


MAR. 31 '9V2 





